During these past 12 months, when his return from microfracture knee surgery was in doubt, Williams had this image in his mind: Game day at Ohio Stadium, running from the tunnel onto the field, soaking in the roar of 100,000 fans and the brotherhood of his teammates.

But for most of that time, the Buckeyes’ senior defensive end has been apart from those teammates, in practice but not spirit. While they have been pounding each other getting ready for Ohio State’s season opener Sept. 1 against Miami University, Williams is still confined to individual drills.

But he is getting closer, a lot closer than he felt even at the start of camp.

“I’d say I’m pretty close to about 90 percent right now,” Williams said in his first comments to the media since his knee injury.

“I’ve made a lot of progress within the last month that I’m really excited about. I was kind of down in the dumps this offseason, questioning whether or not I’d be able to able to get back for the first game 100 percent. Right now, everything’s looking on par.”

Williams said his right knee was injured early in training camp last year. He tried to practice through it, took some time off in August and then gave it a shot in the opener against Akron. Before halftime, he knew he couldn’t play on it.

“I just couldn’t take it anymore,” Williams said. “I was having a hard time walking, bending my knee.”

He had arthroscopic surgery, but that didn’t solve the problem. He was then told he needed microfracture surgery, in which holes are drilled in the knee to help the regrowth of cartilage. For some, the surgery works wonders. Others have never made it back.

The absence last year of Williams, a potent pass rusher, was a big blow to Ohio State’s defense. John Simon had to move to Williams’ spot, called the Leo, and the Buckeyes no longer had bookend pass rushers who could create havoc.

Coach Urban Meyer said the return of Williams this year could turn a very good defensive line on paper into a great one rivaling his national championship lines at Florida.

During his introductory news conference in November, Meyer described Williams as a “great player” he was eager to meet.

That was a huge boost to Williams’ spirits.

“That right there shows the type of character and compassion he has for the players,” Williams said. “I’m not sure the last coaching staff, I’m not sure they knew the kind of thoughts and the frustrations that were going on with the injury that I endured. I think Urban does. It’s a great feeling to have someone behind you that has your back. It’s refreshing.”

But it still has been a long road back. Williams might have been discouraged at times with the slow pace of recovery, but he said he never considered quitting.

“You’ll have to drag me off this field before I call it quits,” he said. “I think I was down because it’s hard to accept that you’re performing at such a high level one day, and the next day (you’re hurt). As the months go by, you’re like, ‘Gosh, when is this going to stop? When am I going to feel right?’

“You have doubts surfacing throughout your mind. It’s a pain not only physically, but mentally. It’s even worse (mentally).”

He worked constantly with the strength and conditioning staff. Williams particularly credits physical therapist Kristin Holbrook.

Now he’s ready to push coaches to start letting him participate in team drills. When Williams is pronounced ready, all those months of doubt and pain will have been worth it. That vision of running into the Horseshoe finally will become reality.

“There’s going to be no greater reward than me going out there and showing everyone that I’ve worked my butt off throughout these last 10 months,” he said. “It’s going to feel real good running out on that field and looking up and taking it all in and realizing you’re playing for Ohio State, the best university in America.”